Ancient Greece 2000 BCE – 146 BCE

This timeline gives a chronological listing of the main events in Ancient Greek history 2000 BCE – 146 BCE

Please note: we have chosen to use BCE (Before Common Era) rather than BC (Before Christ)

2000 BCE

Wandering tribes began to settle in Greece

1600 BCE

The Mycenaean people began to settle in Greece

1370 BCE

Palace at Knossos was destroyed

1194 BCE

The Trojan war fought between Greece and Troy began

1184 BCE

The Trojan war ended after the Trojans used a wooden horse to invade Greece.

1100 BCE

The Dorian people, who had iron weapons, defeated and invaded Mycenaean Greece.

c 850 BCE

The Greek alphabet was introduced. It was modelled on the Phoenician alphabet

c 800 BCE

Homer wrote the Iliad, an epic poem set in the Trojan war, and the Odyssey, a poem which tells the story of Odysseus on his return from the Trojan war.

776 BCE

The first recorded Olympic Games were held at Olympia in Greece. There was just a single event, the men’s 200 metre sprint

743 BCE

The First Messenian War began between the Messenians and the Spartans

724 BCE

The Messenian War ended in defeat for the Messenians

650 BCE

The rule of the aristocrats was challenged by wealthy tradesmen and lesser aristocrats. Known as tyrants, they successfully removed the aristocrats and ruled in their stead.

621BCE

Draco introduced a new set of harsh laws. Unlike previous laws these laws were written down for all to read. The laws were very harsh with death being the punishment for many crimes. The word Draconian, meaning very severe comes from these Draconian laws.

600 BCE

The first Greek coins appeared

594 BCE

Solon introduced reforms into Athens

508 BCE

Democracy was introduced to Athens by Kleisthenes

495 BCE

The philosopher and mathematician, Pythagoras, died in Metapontum

490 BCE

The First Persian war began when Persia sent an invasion force into Athens in retaliation for its participation in a Greek raid on Persia.

490 BCE

The Greeks defeated the Persians in the Battle of Marathon

480 BCE

The Second Persian war began when Persia’s King Xerxes led an invasion force into Greece.

August/September 480 BCE

The Persians defeated the Greeks in the Battle off Thermopylae

September 480 BCE

The Greeks defeated the Persians in the Battle of Salamis

462 BCE

Ephialtes and Perikles introduced reforms into Athens

432 BCE

The Parthenon was completed. The temple was built in Athens to house a statue of Goddess Athena so that she could watch over the city.

431 BCE

The Peloponnesian wars began between Athens and Sparta.

430 BCE

Perikles died during an outbreak of the plague

415 BCE

The Athenians made an expedition to Sicily

405 BCE

Battle of Aegospotami saw the destruction of the Athenian navy by the Spartans

404 BCE

Athens lost the Peloponnesian Wars. The Athenian democratic government was removed and replaced by a ruling body of 30 tyrants.

403 BCE

Democracy was restored to Athens.

399 BCE

The philosopher Socrates, founder of philosophy, was charged with impiety (being disrespectful to the Gods) he was found guilty and executed.

395 BCE

The Corinthian war began between Sparta and Thebes, Athens, Corinth, and Argos

380 BCE

The philosopher Plato, student of Socrates, founded the Academy in Athens.

371 BCE

Sparta defeated Thebes at the Battle of Leuctra

359 BCE

Philip II became King of Macedon

347 BCE

The philosopher, Plato, student of Socrates, founder of The Academy and author of The Republic died in Athens.

339 BCE

The Catapult was invented at Syracruse

338 BCE

The League of Corinth, A federation of Greek states, was founded by Philip II to boost support against Persia.

336 BCE

Philip II, King of Macedon was assassinated – his son Alexander became King of Macedon. He was later known as Alexander the Great

335 BCE

Aristotle founded the Lyceum in Athens.

333 BCE

Alexander conquered the Persians and declared himself King of Persia.

331 BCE

Alexander conquered Egypt and founded Alexandria which was declared the capital of his newly gained land

323 BCE

Alexander the Great died. His son had not yet been born so his conquered lands were divided between his top generals

322 BCE

Aristotle, philosopher, mathematician, student of Plato, tutor of Alexander died in Euboea.

265 BCE

Euclid, the inventor of geometry, died.

212 BCE

The mathematician and engineer, Archimedes, was assassinated in Syracuse.

146 BCE

The Romans defeated the Greeks at the Battle of Corinth and Greece became part of the Roman Empire

You may also like:

This timeline details all the main wars fought in the period BCE known as Ancient History 499 BCE to 449 BCE Greco-Persian Wars Greek City States against Persian Empire 431 BCE to 404 BCE Peloponnesian War Athens against Sparta 395 BCE to 387 BCE Corinthian War…

Father - Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo Mother - Not known Spouse - Antistia, Aemilia, Mucia, Julia, Cornelia Children - Gnaeus Pompeius, Pompeia Magna, Sextus Pompeius Please note: we have chosen to use the new format BCE (before common era) rather than the old BC (before Christ) EARLY YEARS 106 BCE…

Father - Gaius Julius Caesar Mother - Aurelia Cotta Spouse - Cornelia, Pompeia, Calpurnia Children - Julia, Caesarion Please note: we have chosen to use the new format BCE (before common era) rather than the old BC (before Christ) EARLY YEARS 100 BCE (July 12th or 13th)…

This timeline details all the main wars that have been fought in Africa 264 BCE to 241 BCE First Punic War Rome against Carthage 218 BCE to 201 BCE Second Punic War/Hannibalic War Rome against Carthage 149 BCE to 146 BCE Third Punic War Rome against…

Father - Marcus Tullius Cicero Mother - Helvia Spouse - Terentia, Publilia Children - Marcus, Tullia Please note: we have chosen to use the new format BCE (before common era) rather than the old BC (before Christ) EARLY YEARS 106 BCE (January 3rd) Born at Arpinum south…